Denver, Colorado the gleaming Mile High City nestled at the foot of the spectacular Rocky Mountain range is the site of the upcoming American Conference On Oriental Rugs, more popularly known as ACOR 4. And what an event it's going to be.

You'll choose from more than 25 informal focus sessions led by experienced collectors, field researchers, academics, and authors. Some will address broad topics such as how social context influences rug weaving, and how to tell great rugs from mediocre ones. Others will focus directly on a particular weaving group or an issue of special importance to the collector. Throughout, you'll enjoy ACOR's traditional hands-on focus rugs, rugs, and more rugs.

Many leading antique rug and textile dealers from across America and Europe will offer their wares on Dealers' Row, an exclusive, informal rug fair for conference participants held in two adjacent areas of the hotel. In its casual, relaxed setting, you'll cement new contacts and peruse the best of what's available in today's international antique textile marketplace.

A special, exclusive exhibition entitled Prayer Rugs of the Caucasus will feature the very best examples from American collections. Befitting ACOR 4's Western setting, a Weavings of the Southwest exhibition will devote itself to early textile creations in the Navajo, Pueblo and Hispanic traditions. An exhibition of exceptional Tibetan rugs will add to the diversity.

You'll join more than 300 "ruggies" ranging from renowned experts to enthusiastic beginners -- all gathered to share a common fascination. You'll hear Mike Tschebull on Azerbaijan weavings. John Collins on Bijars. Paul Ramsey on Caucasians. John Wertime on Persian. Henry Glassie on Turkish. George O'Bannon on Central Asian. Mark Hopkins on rug esthetics. Plus discussions of rug books, carpet dating, design symmetry, Southwest weaving, rug restoration, effects of light, and much more.

ACOR 4 takes place in the Westin Hotel at the heart of the Mile High City, where there's a wealth of things to see and do. Denver's new Performing Arts Complex is the Nation's second largest, and its art museum, where the prayer rug exhibition will be held, is world-class. The city is an outdoorsman's paradise, with more than 200 parks, 70 golf courses, and 130 miles of paved, off-street jogging and biking paths. Many consider it America's beer capital (You remember Adolph Coors, Ollie North named a Contra helicopter after him.). It's awash with art galleries and intriguing shopping opportunities. And its nearby mountain scenery is unforgettable.

The American Conference On Oriental Rugs (ACOR) is a non-profit, volunteer-run organization made possible through the cooperative effort of independent rug societies throughout the United States and Canada. Inquiries to: Acor, PO Box 187, Newtown, PA 18940

Rosalie Rudnik, New England Rug Society and Mike Tschebull, Connecticut at ACOR 3, Santa Monica, CA, January, 1993